Argentines Banking on Economic Upturn After Election

Broadcast: Mar¹ 21 2003

 

There are signs of improvement in Argentina after more than a year of economic crisis, but, much will depend on the outcome of the upcoming election.

The streets of Buenos Aires are full of foreign tourists these days. Many of them have been drawn² here by the bargain prices on such Argentine products as jewelry³, leather goods and handicrafts. The price declines are a result of the economic crisis and the devaluation of the ¹⁾peso currency. The peso was one-to-one with the U.S. dollar a little over a year ago, but it is now traded at a little over three to a dollar.

U.S. tourist Allison came down to Buenos Aires from Connecticut with a college friend to shop and sample some of Argentina's fine cuisine⁴.

"We have been getting a lot of ²⁾artisan crafts and stuff like that, it is cheaper, and jewelry," she said. "I know you can get a leather jacket now a lot cheaper. But the food is so much cheaper. The food is incredible. We have been eating a lot."

The ³⁾influx⁵ of tourists from the United States, Europe and other Latin American nations has been welcomed by the people of Argentina, especially those who make their livelihood⁶ in retail⁷ shops, hotels, restaurants and other businesses that benefit directly from tourism.

Tourists are not the only ones taking advantage of the bargain prices in Argentina. Filmmakers have also been coming to Buenos Aires to make films set in Europe. Buenos Aires has often been called the "Paris of Latin America" because so many of its buildings, monuments and street scenes resemble those of a European city. But filming here is several times cheaper than it would be in the real Paris.

Taxi driver Roberto says the tourist boom and the coming presidential election, the first round of which will be held on April 27, bode⁸ well for his country. He says things are getting better and that a political change will help set a new course for the nation. He says he and most of his customers, friends and family are optimistic about the future.

Economists⁹ and political analysts¹¹ say a change in government policy that moves the country away from debt and into stronger growth could result from the election. Some of the candidates are presenting detailed¹² plans on how they would do this.

Political analyst¹⁰ Carlos Gervasoni says whoever wins should start by ⁴⁾revamping the economic strategy the country has followed for many decades.

"This is a good opportunity to change the strategy of economic development that has been traditionally in the direction of emphasizing and protecting the internal market," he said. "The fact that we now have a very high exchange rate, a very advantageous¹³ exchange rate for exports, gives us a good opportunity to put Argentina in the international market as a major exporter and to change the economic strategy to an outward-oriented economic strategy."

Such ideas are likely to be the focus of vigorous debate in the weeks ahead as the presidential campaign unfolds. There are also wild cards to consider, however. The war in the Persian Gulf¹⁴ could damage the worldwide economy and ⁵⁾dampen demand for Argentina's products. An increase in terrorist threats could also discourage potential tourists from flying.

But Mr. Gervasoni and other analysts say these are factors beyond anyone's control. They believe this is the best time to work on a new approach to Argentina's economic development so as to avoid another crisis farther down the road.

Greg Flakus VOA news, Buenos Aires

 

 

 

1)    peso [5peisEu]n.比索（一种外国货币单位）

2)    artisan [B:tI5zAn; (?@) B:rtIzn]n.工匠, 技工

3)    influx [5inflQks]n.流入

4)    revamp[5ri:5vAmp]v.修补

5)    dampen [5dAmpEn]v.使潮湿, 使沮丧

1 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

2 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

3 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。

4 cuisine   

n.烹调，烹饪法

参考例句：

• This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
• This restaurant is renowned for its cuisine.这家餐馆以其精美的饭菜而闻名。

5 influx   

n.流入，注入

参考例句：

• The country simply cannot absorb this influx of refugees.这个国家实在不能接纳这么多涌入的难民。
• Textile workers favoured protection because they feared an influx of cheap cloth.纺织工人拥护贸易保护措施，因为他们担心涌入廉价纺织品。

6 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

7 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

8 bode   

v.预示

参考例句：

• These figures do not bode well for the company's future.这些数字显示出公司的前景不妙。
• His careful habits bode well for his future.他那认真的习惯预示著他会有好的前途。

9 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

11 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

12 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

13 advantageous   

adj.有利的；有帮助的

参考例句：

• Injections of vitamin C are obviously advantageous.注射维生素C显然是有利的。
• You're in a very advantageous position.你处于非常有利的地位。

14 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。